Coolock feud

The Coolock feud is a series of allegedly connected murders that happened in Dublin in 2019.[1]

Murder of Zach Parker

Zach Parker was shot dead on 17 January 2019 outside a gym in Applewood Close in Swords.[2] He was driving out of a car park when a gunman shot him and his passenger.[2] Parker, 23, died at the scene and his 25-year-old passenger was taken to Beaumont Hospital.[2] He had been convicted of drug dealing after being caught with almost €3,000 worth of cocaine in February 2017.[2] Gardaí believe the shooting was to do with local drug dealing.[2]

Murder of Seán Little

Seán Little was shot dead on 21 May 2019 and his body was found beside a burning Opel Insignia at Rowan's Little, near Walshestown, near junction 5 of the M1.[3] He was 22, associated with the leader of a Finglas-based gang and allegedly had close links to Dublin members of the Kinahan gang.[3] The case is being investigated by Gardaí from Balbriggan.[3]

Gardaí believe Little was killed because he wanted revenge for the murder of his friend Zach Parker.[4]

Murder of Jordan Davis

Jordan Davis was shot dead on 22 May 2019 in a laneway off Marigold Road, Darndale.[4] He was bringing his four month old son for a walk in a buggy when he was shot.[4] He was also friends with Seán Little.[4]

In June 2019 a man was arrested in connection with his murder and charged.[5][6]

Murder of Hamid Sanambar

Hamid Sanambar was shot dead at the home of his friend Seán Little on Kilbarron Avenue in Coolock.[7] He was a known associate of several crime gangs.[7] Gardaí are investigating several lines of inquiry, including the murder being retaliation by another gang or Mr. Sanambar being set up by his own associates.[7]

Murder of Eoin Boylan

Eoin Boylan was shot dead on 24 November 2019 in the garden of his home on Clonsaugh Avenue, Coolock, around 5:15pm.[1] He had been formally warned by Gardaí that his life was in danger and he was advised to leave the area for safety.[1] He only left for one night.[1] He had survived previous attempts on his life.[1] Gardaí are investigating if comments he may have made about Littles' murder are connected.[1]

May 2020 shooting

An unnamed man in his 30s was shot on 20 May 2020 on Cromcastle Drive in Coolock.[8] The man was shot around 2pm outside a house, receiving leg wounds.[8] He was attended to by Gardaí and paramedics before being taken to Beaumount Hospital a kilometre away.[8] The target, who is from Cromcastle Estate, had a long history of involvement with crime.[8]

Gardaí are not clear if the attack is related to the Coolock feud and they have not ruled out the possibility that it is related to a feud in Darndale.[8]

The shooting happened 300m from where Hamid Sanambar was shot dead on Kilbarron Avenue.[8]

Arrest and conviction of Stephen Little and Edward McDonnell

Arrests

On 14 September 2019 Gardaí pulled over a car at Lein Park, Harmonstown and arrested Stephen Little, 47, of Kilbarron Avenue, Kilmore and Edward McDonnell of Waterside Apartments, New Ross, County Wexford.[9][10] The Gardaí found they had a semi-automatic pistol, two balaclavas, two baseball bats, gloves, mobile phones, a can of petrol and a long-handled lighter.[9][10] They were taken to Clontarf Garda station and Little told Gardaí after his arrest "had you given me another hour, I would have killed the bastard that killed him" and also "I lost my marriage and my son".[9][10] Both men had been under surveillance by the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.[9][10]

Trial

The trial took place in the non-jury Special Criminal Court.[9][10]

Stephen Little pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Grand Power G9 semi-automatic pistol at Lein Park, Harmonstown.[9][10] The court was told that if Little had not made the comment to Gardaí about being given another hour the case against him would have been weaker and he may not have been charged.[9][10]

Edward McDonnell initially pleaded not guilty but on the fifth day of the trial changed his plea to guilty to the same charge.[9][10] They were jailed for possession of a firearm under suspicious circumstances, an offence under section Section 27A (1) of the Firearms Act.[9][10]

McDonnell had 47 previous convictions, including attempted robbery, sexual assault and assault causing harm.[9][10]

Mr Tony Hunt, the judge, said that the men were involved in serious and organised crime and that the "timely intervention" of Gardaí had prevented serious harm or death.[9][10]

Sentencing

Little was sentenced to six years imprisonment, McDonnell to nine.[9][10]

References
  1. Reynolds, Paul (25 November 2019). "Murder victim had been warned by gardaí life was in danger". RTE News. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  2. Reynolds, Paul (18 January 2019). "Gardaí suspect fatal gun attack in Dublin linked to drugs". RTE News. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  3. Reynolds, Paul (22 May 2019). "Murder investigation after man's body found beside burning car near M1". RTE News. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  4. Lally, Conor (23 May 2019). "Dublin murder victim shot in head as he wheeled son in buggy". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  5. Hennessy, Michelle (21 June 2019). "Man arrested in relation to fatal shooting of Jordan Davis in Darndale". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  6. Tuite, Tom (24 June 2019). "Man remanded in custody charged with fatal shooting of Jordan Davis in Darndale". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  7. Reynolds, Paul (29 May 2019). "Investigation into third gang-related shooting in Dublin". RTE News. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  8. Lally, Conor (20 May 2020). "Man recovering after being shot in suspected Coolock gangland attack". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  9. Reynolds, Paul (31 August 2020). "Father sentenced over attempt to avenge son's gang related death". RTE News. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  10. Neilan, Paul (31 August 2020). "Dublin man whose son was murdered last year jailed for six years after threatening to kill his son's killer". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
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